ProRodeo Sports News - March 3, 2023

An official publication of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

Shake & Bake Stetson Wright wins on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby

INSIDE Legendary photographer Jim Svoboda passes away at 88

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WORN TOWIN

STETSON WRIGHT 4X ALL - AROUND WORLD CHAMPION

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CONTENTS

MARCH 3, 2023 VOLUME 71, NO. 5

Action Jackson Contes $225,757 payout at the Dixie National Rodeo, which concluded Feb. 18 in Jackson, Miss. The Dixie National Rodeo is part of the Playoff Series. 36 tants com peted for a

JB Mauney split the win in Jackson, Miss., with an 87-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Sun Dog. Mauney earned $4,766. Darlena Roberts photo

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18 2023 PRCA World STANDINGS COVER 26 San Antonio, Texas 36 Jackson, Miss. 38 Okeechobee, Fla Xtreme Bulls. 40 Tucson, Ariz. 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Hot Takes 12 Grille 14 He Said-She Said 16 Social Media 20 Short Round 46 Results INSIDE RODEOS

Kent Soule photo Reigning PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Zeke Thurston hams it up with the crowd after winning La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 26. Thurston earned $8,072 at the rodeo. Fun in the sun in Tucson La Fiesta de los Vaqueros took place in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 18-19 and 23 26 and contestants battled for their share of the $338,697 payout at the Playoff Series rodeo. Tie-down roper Hagen Houck led the way by earning $11,243. 40

Shake & Bake Stetson Wright wins on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby

ProRodeo Sports News

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semimonthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo. , and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P. O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. Subscription rate: $45 for one year, 12 issues. Disclaimer: The ProRodeo Sports News carries advertising as a service to PRCA members and PSN readers. However, publication of advertisements in the PSN does not in any way, whether expressed or implied, commit the PSN to guarantee or warrant any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PSN OR FOR SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS, CALL: 800.RODEO.4U (800.763.3648) _______________ To advertise in the PSN , call: 719.528.4704 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 101 ProRodeo Drive

INSIDE Legendary photographer Jim Svoboda passes away at 88

Stetson Wright, a seven-time PRCA

PRCA CEO Tom Glause DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Becky Hillier PSN EDITOR Tracy Renck PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver STAFF WRITER Tanner Barth SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Jessica Butterly

World Champion, was in top form winning the saddle bronc riding at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo with a 92.5-point ride on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby. Hailey Rae photo

Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2023, PRCA Properties Inc. , a

marketing service and subsidiary of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information retrieval system, without permission in writing from PRCA Properties Inc.

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EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

2023 PRCA ProRodeo season slowly coming into shape

R When the calendar turned to Oct. 1, the 2023 ProRodeo season began. At that point everything was blurry. New and old cowboys are cracking back out to try and get to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, while cowboys who qualified for the 2022 NFR were trying to stay in shape and be ready for December in Las Vegas at theThomas & Mack Center. Fast-forward to the last week of March and the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings will start to take shape. That’s because RODEOHOUSTON®, which has a nearly $2 million payout, concludes March 19 and Rodeo Austin concludes on March 25. Rodeo Austin’s payout was just under $500,000 in 2022. A year ago, every winner at RodeoHouston – bareback rider Jess Pope, steer wrestler Hunter Cure, team ropers Clay Tryan/Jake Long, saddle bronc rider Sage Newman, tie down roper John Douch, barrel racer Jordon Briggs and bull rider StetsonWright all qualified for the NFR. It is worth noting that Tryan and Long swapped partners in June and roped with Jade Corkill and Clay Smith, respectively at the NFR.

and unusual circumstances, the PRCAmade the decision to take 16 bull riders to the 2022 NFR – eight percent of those contestants were winners in Houston and Austin. That number could easily rise to 10 percent in 2023. That’s why the winter run into the early spring is so important to contestants. A strong winter/spring run puts contestants in the driver’s seat to make the NFR and have the financial resources to go down the road the rest of the season. Also, what makes the PRCA regular season great is it pays better than ever. So, if a contestant has a rough winter there are still countless rodeos to make up ground. There’s the lucrative Cowboy Christmas run in late June and into the first week of July. Then, there’s the NFR Open powered by RAM, July 11-15 in Colorado Springs, Colo., which will have $1 million in payouts to contestants, stock contractors and other PRCAmembers. And don’t forget, for contestants making a frantic push to Vegas there’s the Cinch Playoffs that will play a bigger role than ever before in deciding who makes it to the NFR with a payout of more than $1 million on the final weekend of the 2023 season. The Cinch Playoffs will have athletes competing for the Governor’s Cup and vying for the more than $1 million purse, Sept. 28-30, 2023, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. It will be the richest rodeo in South Dakota history

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News . He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

Wright won the most money at a PRCA regular season rodeo (counting toward the world standings) when he left Houston last year after pocketing $73,750 in saddle bronc riding and bull riding. At Rodeo Austin, winners – bareback rider Caleb Bennett, and tie-down roper Shad Mayfield and bull rider Wright – qualified for the Wrangler NFR. By quick math of the 121 qualifiers to the 2022 NFR – due to unique

and certainly shake up the list of NFR qualifiers as it ends the final day of the season. The fun has just begun as we watch the 2023 ProRodeo season unfold.

KEEP UP WITH THE HERD!

To subscribe to the ProRodeo Sports News call 800.763.3648 or go to ProRodeo.com

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©2023 COORS BREWING CO., GOLDEN, CO • BEER

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Even-keel Cowboy

“I try to stay real level. I don’t get really excited. I don’t get real down.

Jeff Askey has been a model of consistency in his 14 seasons in ProRodeo. He’s been outside the top 25 of the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings just one time since 2013 and has made five trips to the Wrangler NFR. He won the bull riding title at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Feb. 25 with a 90-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Bayou Bengal.

I always try to be in that sweet spot emotionally and mentally. You just have to stay confident in your ability and just go out and try your best.” NEXT ON TAP RODEOHOUSTON Where: Houston, Texas When: Feb. 28-March 19 Broadcast Schedule: RodeoHouston will be broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and stream live on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App, Feb. 28-March 19. Broadcast Schedule: Rodeo Austin will be broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and stream live on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App, March 11-25. SOUTHEASTERN LIVESTOCK EXPO & RODEO Where: Montgomery, Ala. When: March 17-19 Broadcast Schedule: The Southeastern Livestock Expo & Rodeo will be streamed live on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App, March 17-19. * Broadcasts are subject to change. For complete broadcast schedule visit https://bit. ly/3LsEcbR RODEO AUSTIN Where: Austin, Texas When: March 11-25

HOT TAKES

The Climb Dalton Massey set his ProRodeo career in motion in 2014 with the dream of one day competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. In 2022, he came ever so close, finishing 17th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He hopes to flip the script this season after winning the steer wrestling average title at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros with a 16.5-second time on three head. Kent Soule photo Dalton Massey won the steer wrestling average in Tucson, Ariz., highlight ed by his 4.3-second winning run in the first round.

121

NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS IN THE 2023 SEASON AS OF MARCH 1

$11,205,755

MONEY WON BY PRCA COWBOYS IN THE 2023 SEASON

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Proud sponsor of NFR Playo Series, National Finals Rodeo, and Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale

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WORD SEARCH TRY YOUR LUCK H H O V V S R T L U W B X Y D U L E E H B X H G I X U W S T E T S O N W R I G H T L C E Y N Y L A F Y J G J T Z V A I T H J U W H V X Y Y D U Q G T G Z R L D G R T M P P W M A G Y L M I T C H R Z A E Q S N I J R C H U N T E R C U R E N I O J C R A M G J U E Q I A B L J O A K Q O L Q R W M K Q P K S P Z N R L D M Q B I A E E V I W M X J U K T O R H N S A S N N A K B Y R E T Y B H B D Y P K N O Y R J V M U D Q W N J Q Z T R S U W S B C L A Y T R Y A N A E M C P O A R I W R S L K D B B S C N F T G B S J T P L H N D I E Q T O Q O X K W Q A Q B X M C U I Y L L G J W Y B A K P G K S D Y R C R H C U O D N H O J F N T J P V H N E J Y E H C N A H N I T S I R K R V Q F X S O B M R G L O R R A C N O X I D Y A H S I G I C C Z D E E L W K S B H C J C N P C X V O L H F O R X C A C J Q B O V Y A Z R A K R F P G E D K X Y L H J W W F W Y K G H T A Y C I E M A T T H E W S G T A X Y X O

ANSWERS ON PAGE 60

Find the winners from the 2022 RodeoHouston and the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo. Cowboys or cowgirls who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Warmer Weather 1. Find the winners from Houston: BB: Jess Pope SW: Hunter Cure TR: Clay Tryan/Jake Long SB: Sage Newman TD: John Douch 2. Find the winners from Arcadia, Fla.: BB: Jess Pope SW: Marc Joiner TR: Shay Dixon Carrol/Evan Arnold SB: Rusty Wright TD: Riley Webb GB: Kristin Hanchey/Taycie Matthews BR: Koby Radley GB: Jordon Briggs BR: Stetson Wright

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2022 YEAR-END EDITION

$203,508

SHOW ME THE MONEY Cowboys set records with pre-NFR cash

$378,340

Shad Mayfield

$227,878

Stetson Wright

$253,191

Kaleb Driggers

$227,878

Stetson’s World Wright up to seven world titles after 2022 NFR

Sage Newman

Junior Nogeuiera

INSIDE • Fournier takes top spot at Permit Finals in Waco, Texas

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Trisyn: I had an uncle that used to ranch, but my family wasn’t very big into horses. So, I hung out with him for a few weeks and rode some horses. He basically just told me I was going to enter my first rodeo. I think I was maybe seven years old at the time. It just grew from there. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Trisyn: Growing up in Hawaii all we really had were seven main rodeos and high school rodeos on the Big Island. Up until sixth grade I never knew there could be a chance for me to come to the mainland and rodeo. As I got older and in high school, I got more serious about it and made it a goal. I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere rodeoing on the island. If I wanted to rodeo, I needed to come to the mainland. Why did you decide steer wrestling would be your event? Trisyn: I actually hated steer wrestling in high school. In Hawaii, there were a lot of team ropers and calf ropers, but there were very few steer wrestlers. I learned to steer wrestle by just jumping off the horse. Cody Cabral, who’s from my hometown, made the NFR in 2016. Our families are pretty close, and I knew him growing up. He would come back when he didn’t make the Finals. We would get together and practice and I started getting into it. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Trisyn Kalawaia, 20, is beginning to make his name known in the ProRodeo ranks. Most recently, he finished second at Rodeo Grand Island (Neb.) with a 4.2-second run, Feb. 25. The Keaau, Hawaii, steer wrestler is sitting second in the run ning for the Resistol Rookie of the Year with $6,970 earned so far in 2023. Kalawaia currently attends school at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.

TRISYN KALAWAIA

Trisyn: In high school rodeo I did pretty much every event there was. I tried to ride bareback horses, I tried to ride bulls, it didn’t go great. When I came to college, I decided on just team roping and steer wrestling. I’ve grown out of team roping a bit. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Trisyn: RodeoHouston is one of the rodeos that I would really like to win someday. It’s a big stage and you always hear stories about it from guys I look up to. It’s definitely one I want to qualify for and win. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? Trisyn: This is my second year having my PRCA membership, last year I had my permit. I go to school right now at Northwestern Oklahoma State and was talking to Jacob Edler, who went there. I asked him if I should buy my card. He told me to go for it, but don’t focus on (Resistol) Rookie of the Year, look past it. He said if you make the NFR, the rookie award will take care of itself. Who is someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Trisyn: There’s a lot of guys that have helped me out. Cody Cabral, KC Jones, Jacob (Edler), and my coach Stockton (Graves). Who, I look up to the most would probably be Stockton because he’s been there, done that. He pushes me to be better every day and it inspires me to be like him. What’s your favorite movie? Trisyn: My favorite movie would probably have to be the Lone Survivor . What’s your go to restaurant before or after a rodeo? Trisyn: That would definitely be Raising Cane’s. There isn’t much in Alva (Okla.). So, when we go to rodeos, I enjoy eating there. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Trisyn: I drove a 1999 Ford F-150. I don’t even know where that vehicle is now. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Trisyn: I’m not very good at it, but I do enjoy golf. I also really enjoy shoeing horses as well. What’s your favorite holiday? Trisyn: Christmas is probably my favorite holiday because I get to actually go home to Hawaii. What is your favorite sports team? Trisyn: I’m a Denver Broncos fan. We’ve had some rough years, but I keep telling all my friends we are going to win next year.

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10 QUESTIONS

John Gwatney and his wife Sandy are staples on the rodeo scene. John is a former contestant, current reserve judge and longtime chute boss. His wife Sandy, a former roper, is an NFR timer and secretary. After 24 years of marriage, we wanted to know who knows John better – his wife Sandy or their good friend, timer Jayme Pemberton.

A Dating App Designed by Country Singles, for Country Singles.

He Said/She Said

John

Sandy

Jayme

JAYME

JOHN

SANDY

FAVORITE EVENT TO WORK?

San Antonio

San Antonio

San Antonio

WHO IS THE BETTER TEAM ROPER - JOHN OR SANDY?

I am - heeler, Sandy header

Sandy

Me back in the day

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Sandy

I do, she picks ‘em out

He does, I pick them

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE FOOD?

Steak

Mexican

Steak

WHAT’S HIS MOST MEMORABLE NFR MOMENT?

Getting an award

Year we got married

Year we got married

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE TV SHOW?

NCIS

NCIS

NCIS

IS HE A PHONE CALL OR TEXT GUY?

Text

Phone call

Phone call

WHAT’S HIS HOBBY OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Golf

Carpentry

Carpentry

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Christmas

14 WHAT WOULD YOU DO, IF NOT RODEOING?

Sales

Building contractor

Building contractor

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin

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STRENGTH OF MIND & COURAGE

T Y E R I C K S O N , P R O F E S S I O N A L S T E E R W R E S T L E R P h o t o b y S a m - S i n P h o t o g r a p h y D U S T Y T U C K N E S S , P R O F E S S I O N A L B U L L F I G H T E R P h o t o b y S a m - S i n P h o t o g r a p h y A M B E R L E Y S N Y D E R , P R O F E S S I O N A L B A R R E L R AC E R P h o t o b y S a m - S i n P h o t o g r a p h y C H A S E B R OO K S , P R O F E S S I O N A L B R O N C R I D E R P h o t o b y M c F a r l a n d P r o d u c t i o n s

T R O P H Y B U C K L E S & AWA R D S w w w . m o n t a n a s i l v e r s m i t h s . c o m 8 88 - 677 - 94 87 | Fo l l ow u s

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SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

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V I S I T U S I N L A S V E G A S , D OW N T OW N S U M M E R L I N & O U R B O O T H A T T H E C OW B O Y C H A N N E L C OW B O Y C H R I S T M A S

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2023 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of March 1, 2023. For the 2023 season (Oct. 1, 2022-Sept. 30, 2023), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 75; team roping, 75; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 75; barrel racing, 100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah................... $112,480 2. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala.. ................................ 28,555 3. Brush Minton, Witter Springs, Calif.. ................... 24,506 4. Chet Weitz, London, Texas................................... 23,266 5. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif................................ 18,685 6. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla............................... 18,470 7. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D........................................... 17,434 8. Drew Carnes, Hornell, N.Y.................................... 14,245 9. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas. ............................. 13,555 10. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga.. ........................... 13,335 11. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla.............. 10,152 12. Jase Staudt, Saguache, Colo.................................. 9,694 13. Abdiel Zamora, Okeechobee, Fla............................ 7,667 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo.. ........................... $46,986 2. Rocker Shane Steiner, Weatherford, Texas. ......... 45,418 3. Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La.................................. 32,743 4. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho................................. 32,371 5. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb......................... 31,948 6. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas..................... 31,512 7. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah......................... 29,372 8. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La....................... 26,925 9. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla................................... 26,083 10. Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah................................... 22,770 11. Luke Barlow Thrash, Bastrop, La......................... 22,171 12. Chad Rutherford, Hillsboro, Texas....................... 21,799 13. Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont................................ 19,343 14. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis.................................... 19,042 15. Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.. ....................................... 16,963 16. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.. ......................... 16,664 17. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.. ......................... 15,105 18. Jacek Lane Frost, Browns Valley, Calif................. 14,934 19. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas........................... 14,922 STEER WRESTLING 1. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss.. ............................ $37,272 2. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont.. ................................. 32,165 3. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore............................... 28,928 4. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La.................................... 27,650 5. Tucker Allen, Oak View, Calif................................ 27,294 6. Stockton Graves, Alva, Okla................................. 23,528 7. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala................................. 23,501 8. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore.. ......................... 22,822 9. Joshua Hefner, Knoxville, Tenn............................ 19,962 10. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D....................... 19,467 11. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.......................... 18,838 12. Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia...................... 16,256 13. Gavin Soileau, Bunkie, La.. .................................. 14,917 14. Walt Arnold, Coleman, Texas. .............................. 14,707 15. Marc Joiner, Loranger, La.................................... 13,985 16. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn................................. 13,610 17. Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D.. ............................. 13,309 18. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D........................................... 13,110 19. Cash Robb, Altamont, Utah.................................. 13,046 20. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis.......................................... 12,776 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla............................. $43,565 2. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla.......................... 29,097 3. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga............................... 27,169 4. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala.. ................................ 24,277 5. Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla.......................... 23,217 6. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss........................ 21,569 7. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif............................... 21,089 8. Joshua Torres, Ocala, Fla..................................... 16,902 9. Lightning Aguilera, Athens, Texas........................ 16,432 10. Hagen Peterson, Delta, Utah................................ 16,267 11. Manny Egusquiza Jr., Hico, Texas........................ 16,241 12. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz............................ 14,440 13. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas. ................................... 14,301 14. Cole Thomas, Emelle, Ala.. .................................. 13,888 15. Tanner Tomlinson, Angleton, Texas...................... 13,597 16. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.............................. 13,400 17. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla............................... 13,360 18. Pedro Egurrola, Florence, Ariz.. ........................... 13,220 19. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah............................ 12,459 20. Ty Arnold, Midway, Texas. ................................... 11,873

TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas................ $43,565 2. Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla........................ 31,116 3. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D.. ...................................... 29,097 4. Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil ...... 27,169 5. Cole Curry, Liberty, Miss. .................................... 21,569 6. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.................... 21,089 7. Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah. ............................. 19,682 8. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas. ........................ 18,640 9. Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif........................... 16,552 10. Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas....................... 16,432 11. Clay Green, Pine Grove, La.. ................................ 14,959 12. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.................................. 14,400 13. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas.................................. 13,597 14. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M................................... 13,360 15. Caleb Hendrix, Fallon, Nev.. ................................. 13,309 16. Evan Arnold, Stephenville, Texas. ........................ 12,646 17. Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta..................... 12,459 18. J.C. Flake, Grandbury, Texas................................ 12,424 19. Sid Sporer, Cody, Wyo......................................... 12,190 20. Cutter Pake Thomison, Hermleigh, Texas............. 11,990 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah..................... $71,809 2. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta........................ 45,497 3. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D........................... 34,887 4. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont........................... 33,740 5. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho................................... 30,273 6. Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas.................... 29,635 7. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo.................................... 26,194 8. Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D........................................ 26,180 9. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas................................. 26,112 10. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah.................................. 26,029 11. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La.................................. 25,155 12. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont.. ...................... 24,375 13. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta.......................... 23,735 14. Ben T. Andersen, Eckville, Alberta........................ 22,328 15. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo................................. 22,100 16. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas............................. 21,730 17. Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo.................................. 21,595 18. Logan James Hay, Wildwood, Alberta.................. 21,181 19. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta......................... 20,437 20. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia....................... 16,832 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas........................ $32,933 2. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas....................... 31,946 3. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas................................ 29,815 4. Michael Otero, Lowndesboro, Ala........................ 27,544 5. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb...................................... 25,287 6. Cash Enderli, Liberty, Texas................................. 24,309 7. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M.................................. 23,827 8. Tuf Case Cooper, Decatur, Texas.......................... 21,759 9. Brush Minton, Witter Springs, Calif.. ................... 20,972 10. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.. ......................... 20,499 11. Joel Braden Harris, San Angelo, Texas................. 19,938 12. Richard Newton, Portales, N.M............................ 19,620 13. Lucas Potter, Maple City, Kan.. ............................ 16,540 14. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla.. .............................. 16,490 15. Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss..................................... 16,202 16. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas.................................. 15,696 17. Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil.............................. 15,683 18. Chet Weitz, London, Texas................................... 15,575 19. Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho.................................... 14,857 20. Brayden Roe, Wendell, Idaho............................... 14,512 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.................................. $24,669 2. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D................................. 23,230 3. Reo Lohse, Kaycee, Wyo.. ................................... 21,595 4. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas.................................. 18,484 5. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif................................ 16,666 6. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas. ............... 16,503 7. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas............................. 14,778 8. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas. ............................. 14,767 9. Tanner Stec, Bassett, Neb.................................... 12,235 10. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D.................................... 12,191 11. Cash Myers, Kaufman, Texas............................... 11,050 12. Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo.. ......................... 10,690 13. Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla................................ 10,140

14. Trenton L. Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan................. 10,011 15. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas...................................... 9,829 16. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla.................................. 9,282 17. Travis Mills, Gillette, Wyo.. .................................... 9,114 18. Kyle Cauthorn, Royse City, Texas........................... 8,300 19. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas...................... 8,166 20. Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas................................... 8,106 BULL RIDING 1. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas................................... $59,003 2. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah....................... 55,546 3. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan............................... 42,950 4. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah. .................................. 42,032 5. Coy Thorson, Fergus Falls, Minn.. ....................... 41,433 6. Colton Byram, Mound City, Kan........................... 35,668 7. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa. ................................ 34,423 8. Chance Schott, Mclaughlin, S.D........................... 34,251 9. Ernie Courson Jr., Okeechobee, Fla...................... 32,691 10. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore............................................. 32,237 11. Jestyn Jax Woodward, Custer, S.D...................... 29,528 12. T. Parker, Winnie, Texas....................................... 28,725 13. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La.. .............................. 27,139 14. Grayson Cole, Fredonia, Pa.................................. 26,317 15. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho................... 26,196 16. Dawson Gleaves, Amarillo, Texas......................... 26,159 17. Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo................................... 24,453 18. Cullen Telfer, Plant City, Fla.................................. 24,271 19. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla......................... 23,934 20. Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont.. ......................... 22,061 BARREL RACING Barrel racing and breakaway roping standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings. 1. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas.............................. $45,768 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas. ............. 29,974 3. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. . .............................. 29,842 4. Sissy Winn, Chapman Ranch, Texas..................... 28,658 5. Margo Crowther, North Fort Myers, Fla................. 27,535 6. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas. .............................. 27,302 7. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas. ................................ 24,307 8. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas................................... 23,467 9. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Texas.......................... 21,148 10. Ilyssa Riley, Hico, Texas........................................ 20,279 11. Bayleigh Choate, Fort Worth, Texas. ..................... 19,598 12. Kelly Allen, Stephenville, Texas............................. 19,316 13. Jimmie Smith-Tew, McDade, Texas....................... 18,457 14. Erin Wetzel, Plant City, Fla.. .................................. 18,431 15. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla.................................. 16,387 16. Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark............................... 15,128 17. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas................................. 14,649 18. Nicole Love, Morton, Miss.................................... 14,535 19. Sara Winkelman, Big Lake, Minn.. ........................ 13,829 20. Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla....................................... 13,325 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas. ........................ $33,792 2. Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla. ...................... 29,495 3. Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo................................... 21,652 4. Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont............................... 16,985 5. Ashley Goforth, Azle, Texas................................... 15,720 6. Madison Outhier, Fulshear, Texas.......................... 15,390 7. Josie Conner, Iowa, La. ........................................ 14,611 8. Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D.. .............................. 14,522 9. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas................... 12,422 10. J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas. ....................... 11,563 11. Shelby Boisjoli, Stephanville, Texas...................... 11,053 12. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas............................... 10,894 13. Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas............................ 10,260 14. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas.................................... 9,520 15. Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas..................................... 9,444 16. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Canyon, Texas. .................. 9,207 17. Heather McLaughlin, Ernelle, Ala............................ 9,122 18. Shai Schaefer, Lake Creek, Texas............................ 8,946 19. Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas................................... 8,824 20. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas. ..................... 8,062

• For the latest PRCA Playoff Series and PRCA Circuit standings, go to https://bit.ly/39WQQSs

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SHORT ROUND Tilden Hooper, nine-time NFR qualifier, sidelined Out of Action

B areback rider Tilden Hooper, a nine-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, confirmed to ProRodeo Sports News he has been sidelined since the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with neck issues that he’s been dealing with for most of his career. “I had (neck surgery) in 2012 and I have been managing it and doing the best I can,” said Hooper, 35. “Obviously I have had years where it didn’t bother me at all. I’m just going to take time off. It is just rest and rehab. That’s pretty much where we are at right now.” Hooper has qualified for the NFR in 2008-09, 2011, 2014, 2018-22. He finished ninth in the 2022 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $188,477. He finished a career-best fourth in the 2021 world standings with $205,916. Hooper joined the PRCA in 2006. “After the Finals (in December), once I started getting ready for this season, I realized everything wasn’t firing the way it was supposed to,” Hooper said. “The plan is to take time off and come back stronger and better just like I have in the past. This is nothing I have not dealt with in the past.” Following neck surgery in October of 2012, Hooper returned to competition in late June or July of 2013. After making the NFR in 2014, Hooper missed the entire 2015 season with neck issues. He returned fulltime to the PRCA in 2017 and in 2018 he started his run of five consecutive trips to the NFR. “This isn’t a new problem, just a different variation of an old problem,” Hooper said. “We will get around it same as we have (before).”

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle Bareback rider Tilden Hooper, shown competing at the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge in December, has yet to compete since the NFR while battling neck issues.

Permit champs gain bids to RodeoHouston

Winning the 2023 Permit Finals provides a bonus for contestants. Each event winner of the Permit

opportunity for the Permit Finals winners to compete against the best of the best. “The Permit Finals gives our young,

Finals, Oct. 7-9 in Waco, Texas, will secure entry into RodeoHouston in 2024. “The PRCA has made a concentrated effort to better support permit holders by establishing the Permit Finals. We are excited to join in that effort and promote these up-and-coming contestants by inviting the 2023 Permit Finals Champions of Waco to Houston in 2024,” said Dr. Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. PRCA CEO Tom Glause says this presents an incredible

up-and-coming contestants a chance to showcase their skills as they prepare to take the next step in their ProRodeo careers,” Glause said. “The Permit Finals winners will now have the opportunity to compete against ProRodeos biggest stars at RodeoHouston, which is exciting.” The top 10 contestants in the permit standings will qualify to compete in the Permit Finals in Waco, with three go-rounds of competition determining the champions.

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BY THE NUMBERS 1997 The year ProRodeo Hall of Fame tie-down roper Fred Whitfield set the tie-down roping average record at the National Finals Rodeo with an 84.0-second time on 10 head. The record lasted until Shane Hanchey broke it in 2013 with an 80.1-time. Hanchey’s record The year steer wrestler Rope Myers took down 10 steers in 37.4 seconds to set the average record at the NFR. The record still stands. $11K The amount of money ($11,210) earned by Kase Hitt by winning the Brighton Field Days Festival Division 1 Xtreme Bulls on Feb. 19 in Okeechobee, Fla., with an 87.5-point ride on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s No. 573. $44K The combined amount of money ($44,750) earned by Stetson Wright in saddle bronc riding and bull riding at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, which concluded Feb. 25. still stands today. 2001

Reed Settle photo

Korkow Rodeo’s NFR horse Queenie passes away at 11 Bull rider Caleb McCaslin had an 87.5-point ride on Honeycutt Rodeo’s Cajun Rouge at the 78th annual Yuma (Ariz.) Silver Spur Rodeo on Feb. 10. McClasin finished second and earned $1,072. Ragin’ Cajun

Korkow Rodeo’s Queenie, an 11-time National Finals Rodeo horse – nine in saddle bronc riding and two in bareback riding – passed away Jan. 30. “She was never bronc of the year or anything, but she by far was one of our most popular horses,” Brie Korkow of Korkow Rodeo said. Queenie appeared as an NFR bareback horse in 2000 as a 4-year-old, then again in 2001. She then switched to saddle bronc riding and appeared at the NFR in that event in 2002-2009, and 2011.

Queenie placed second twice in bareback riding and led cowboys to the paywindow four times in saddle bronc riding, highlighted by Cody DeMoss winning Round 7 on her in 2004. “She was so photogenic, she was a beautiful paint,” Korkow said. “You could pet on her and love on her. She was a classy horse. Even if you didn’t do your job, she made it to where it still looked good. She just had this quality about her to make cowboys look flashy.”

PRCA’s Weber to be honored at Wrangler gala Maddie Weber, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Friday, March 10.

Association’s Manager, TV Programming & Production | PRCA Properties, Inc., will be honored at the Wrangler Cowgirl 30 Under 30 Empowered Gala presented by Teton Ridge taking place at Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, Texas, on

The annual gala to honor the Class of 2023 Cowgirl 30 Under 30 Honorees will take place from 6-10 p.m. (CT) on March 10. The Gala will have a full day of events March 10-11.

2023 NFR set for Dec. 7-16 The 65th National Finals Rodeo will return to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Dec. 7-16, 2023. The 10 nights of competition will feature the top 120 contestants in the world vying for a coveted PRCA World Championship. They will also be competing for their share of the increased payout of more than $11.5 million.

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Wild ride McCoy Rodeo’s Ridin Solo got the best of bull rider Cole Hill on Feb. 25 at the Bullnanza event in Guthrie, Okla. Josh Frost won the event and earned $5,978. – Dale Hirschman photo

SNAPSHOT

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO

Contestants battled for their share of the $1,353,600 payout at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The rodeo concluded Feb. 25 and was a key stop on the Playoff Series. Payday

SAN ANTONIO

Award-winning bullfighter Cody Webster jumps in to save Dalan Duncan from harm during the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo at the AT&T Center. Hailey Rae photo

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO Berry ties arena record on Gun Fire Record Ride

BY TANNER BARTH T he path less traveled is often the one people shy away from, but not Weatherford, Texas, bareback rider Leighton Berry. At the end of the second semifinal round at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Berry found himself on the outside looking in. To keep his hopes alive of cashing in the $15,000 first-place check, he knew he’d have to advance out of the wildcard. He made the most of the opportunity, putting together a round winning 88.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Topped Off. Berry carried that momentum over into the 11-man finals, where a matchup with the PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire awaited him. “In the finals here, you don’t draw your horse, I picked him,” said Berry, a two-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “I was super excited to have that horse. They have won so many legendary rodeos on that horse. I knew I had the horsepower underneath me to do something special, but I was going to have to do my job.” He did his job and then some. The two went head-to-head and at the end of the eight seconds a 93-point score was announced before a sellout crowd at the AT&T Center. It was good enough to not only win the rodeo but tie the arena record that was set by Clayton Biglow in 2021. “That horse tests you every single jump and is super droppy,” he said. “It stays right in front of the bucking chutes, kicks, and gives you all the timing to show off. You just have to bear down, ride good, and get through it. It couldn’t have worked out much better for me.” Berry said even though he would have rather advanced to the finals out of the semifinal round, it ended up being an advantage to him with riding two horses just a few hours apart. “I almost feel like I ride better when I’m not fresh. My dad said you have to drag me through the water and beat me up a little bit before I’m warmed up,” Berry said. “Sure, it takes a little bit out of you, you have to do a little more to get your motor running. But thanks to the Justin Sportsmedicine team I feel great.” And he’ll need to stay healthy if he wants to accomplish his ultimate goal in 2023. “The hardest working guy is going to get that gold buckle,” he said. “I truly believe that it has shown that in the recent past. I made a promise to myself, and it’s written on my goal bar that I’m not going to do anything but go after every horse and every rodeo. I have it written in big letters, ‘JUSTWIN’. So, from here on out, I’m just going to try to win.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Jeff Askey ($26,833, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Askey

1. Leighton Berry ....................... 93 pts. 2. Keenan Hayes ............................ 90.5 3. Jacob Lees . .................................. 89 STEER WRESTLING 1. Jesse Brown ........................ 3.1 sec. 2. Kyle Irwin . ................................... 3.6 3. Jacob Talley ................................. 3.8 TEAM ROPING 1. D. Egusquiza/L. Lord . .......... 4.1 sec. 2. A. Tsinigine/R. Motes ................... 4.3 (Tie) N. Wyatt/J. Davis ................. 4.3 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Stetson Wright .................... 92.5 pts. 2. Chase Brooks ............................. 90.5 (Tie) Zeke Thurston . .................. 90.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Pruitt ........................... 7.2 sec. 2. Shad Mayfield .............................. 7.3 3. Quade Hiatt .................................. 7.7 BARREL RACING 1. Kassie Mowry .................. 13.95 sec. 2. Bayleigh Choate ....................... 14.08 3. Two tied at ............................... 14.14 BULL RIDING 1. Jeff Askey .............................. 90 pts. 2. Dawson Gleaves . ....................... 87.5 3. Two tied at .................................... 87

Complete results/Page 46

Hailey Rae photo

Bareback rider Leighton Berry won the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo with an arena-record tying ride of 93 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire, the 2022 “Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck” Bareback Horse of the Year.

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SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO

Hailey Rae photo

Stetson Wright holds up his buckle for winning the saddle bronc riding, while taking a victory lap at the AT&T Center.

Wright sets record with San Antonio win

StetsonWright reset the ProRodeo record books a year ago with a historic $927,940 earned, as well as his sixth and seventh PRCAWorld Championships. The Milford, Utah, cowboy hasn’t missed a beat in 2023. Wright sits No. 1 in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings in both the saddle bronc and bull riding. Three hours before the finals, the rough stock athletes get to draft the animals they will ride in the final go-round. Wright was toward the back end of the draw but got the perfect dancing partner inThe Cervi Brothers’ Ricky Bobby. In 2021, Wright secured his first saddle bronc riding world championship on that same horse to the tune of 93 points in the 10th and final round.

His eight-second ride on Feb. 25 was good enough for 92.5 points and the new San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo arena record. “There wasn’t much left to pick from, but he was the one that I wanted anyway,” saidWright, 23. “I actually won my first world title in the saddle bronc riding on him. So, he means a lot to me, and I just figured let’s do it again.” In total, Wright earned $44,750 in both events while in San Antonio. He said one of the many keys to his success is going down the road every day with people that love winning just as much as he does. “Like I’ve said before I travel with winners, they make me a winner,” Wright said. “I get a lot more excited when my brothers and uncles are doing well too.

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